My mom raised me to believe that buying just a bath towel is blasphemy--one must always also purchase the matching hand towel and washcloth. Perhaps for this reason, I've always continued to use washcloths, even as they've slowly seemed to become old-fashioned relics. read more

While out having drinks my girlfriends one night awhile ago, my pal Ali randomly asked us all if we step out of the shower before we towel off or if we do it in the tub. I am an on-the-bathmat type and, honestly, it never occurred to me that there would be anything else to consider there. But I was surprised to find that a couple of my friends said they were in-shower towel-off-ers. And now I am wondering if this is a common thing or something that's unique to my New York friends read more

You know that mystery of how your shampoo seems to stop working over time that the experts always swear is a myth? “It’s just product build up!” they say. “Simply wash with a clarifying rinse occasionally!” Well, I’ve heard all the arguments, and maybe it's all in my head, but I still think there’s nothing like the results you get the first time you try a new formula. And so, I am a shampoo-switcher-upper. read more

I know hot water dries your skin out. There have been studies done by official people in white coats that prove this fact. I know this, I swear. But I can’t help it, I just like a pretty steamy shower. Think a 3.75 on a heat scale of 1 to 5. What about you? read more

We’ve talked all about whether you use a shower puff or washcloth, how long the whole sudsing-up process takes you and what it’s like to shower in the dark. Now it’s time to talk timing—specifically, are you a morning or nighttime shower-er? read more

As I was stepping out the shower yesterday it hit me: I honestly cannot remember the last time I took a bath. It’s been years since I’ve gotten out the old Mr. Bubble and soaked until my fingers were pruny. The thing is, unlike the one in this photo, the tub in my apartment is the tiniest thing you ever did see. And even though I’m only 5’3, folding into it like a piece of human origami just doesn’t sound like the relaxing bit of “Ahhhh ” I’d want it to be. So it’s strictly showering for this girl. But I’m wondering read more

I recently shared my disgruntlement about the appalling price of razor blades. Here's part two of the rant: Why the heck does a reusable razor have to be so solidly encased on plastic packaging that I practically need a jackhammer, chain saw and blowtorch to get at it? read more

I'll warn you now: This is a topic that’s not exactly, as my mother would say, “dinner table conversation.” But I know that doctors caution against using cotton swabs to clean inside your ears—they say it pushes the debris down farther into your ear canal and can damage your eardrum. Yikes. But I confess: I still use those little white-tipped wonders—maybe it’s totally in my head, read more